Left Edward behind (3)
I believe the answer is:
led
'left edward behind' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'left edward behind' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'edward' becomes 'ed'.
'behind' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'l'+'ed'='LED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for led that I've seen before include "Went first to show the way" , "Guided; small light" , "Conducted" , "Emitter of light" , "Took by the hand and showed the way" .)